KFC says there's no evidence disfigured girl was kicked out

KFC investigates whether scarred girl was asked to leave restaurant

KFC Corp. said it is investigating whether an employee asked a 3-year-old girl and her grandmother to leave a restaurant in Mississippi because the youngster's facial injuries made other patrons uncomfortable.

KFC Corp. said it is investigating whether an employee asked a 3-year-old girl and her grandmother to leave a restaurant in Mississippi because the youngster's facial injuries made other patrons uncomfortable.

There's no evidence that the story of a 3-year-old who was allegedly kicked out of a KFC restaurant in Jackson, Miss., because of her facial injuries from a pit bull attack actually happened, a KFC spokesman said Tuesday.

KFC spokesman Rick Maynard wrote in an email Tuesday that a probe conducted by a third party did not reveal "any evidence that the incident occurred and we consider the investigation closed."

"We are honoring our commitment to make a $30,000 donation to assist with Victoria’s medical bills," he said in the email. "We hope everyone keeps Victoria in their thoughts and prayers. She will certainly be in ours."

Sean Murphy of the Laurel Leader-Call, citing unidentified sources, reported early Tuesday that the story about Victoria being asked to leave the restaurant because of her scarred face was a hoax.

However, a message on Victoria's Facebook page insisted that the claim is no hoax. That post and the page itself have since been deleted.

"It is deeply disappointing that other parties have taken opportunity to attack Victoria through social and news media outlets," he said. "Victoria is an innocent child with very real physical and emotional scars. The focus of her family has always been, and will always be, on Victoria and making her whole again."

SANFORD — Two 17-year-old Winter Springs High School football players accused of taking part in the gang rape of a teenage girl were back in juvenile court Tuesday. One tried to plead no contest but by the end of the hearing, that plan fell apart.

In a speech that stirred political controversy in two countries, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Congress on Tuesday that negotiations underway between Iran and the United States would "all but guarantee" that Tehran gets nuclear weapons to the detriment of the entire world.

OCALA — A Lake County teacher who wanted to become the sponsor of a gay-straight alliance club that was rejected in 2013 testified today in federal court that no thought was given to reapplying to the district for the 2014-15 school year.